By Andrew McChesney An elderly man stopped in Delsie Knicely’s family-owned store in rural West Virginia with a request. “I’d like to see you in church this Sabbath”, he said. Delsie didn’t want to go. She had been raised in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and had attended Adventist schools. But she had left the church … Continue reading –>
Friday Further Thought: Ellen G. White, “In the Court of Babylon”, pages 479-490, in Prophets and Kings; “Words of Caution”, pages 324, 329; “No Respect of Persons With God”, pages 330, 331, in Gospel Workers; “Rejoicing in the Lord”, pages 115-126, in Steps to Christ.No respect of persons with God. “The religion of Christ uplifts the receiver to a higher plane of thought … Continue reading –>
In his popular Bible paraphrase The Message, Eugene Peterson uses “message” wherever the biblical word for “gospel” appears. The good news about Jesus is truly the message still needed by the world today. Christian families are called to experience it together and to share it in whatever culture they live. How would you summarize “the message” using the following texts? Matt. … Continue reading –>
What crisis of faith developed in Israel after Joshua and his peers died? Judg. 2:7-13. Studies of how values and beliefs in organizations such as churches are transmitted to subsequent generations show that the founders have very high levels of commitment to the beliefs. They were the ones who first championed them. Within a generation or two, … Continue reading –>
Our memory text this week, has us looking to Jesus as does Hymn 507, “Moment by Moment”. With Jesus guiding us, the cultural changes that challenge us, should not have great sway as we sing Hymn 301, “Nearer, Still Nearer”. Sunday’s study instantly shows us Hymn 600, “Hold Fast Till I Come”. With this in … Continue reading –>
1. Hold Fast what is Good. The title of this week’s lesson could be, “Families in the whirl of cultural change.” It’s certainly true, as the lesson author points out, that any church member who ventures forth on a mission assignment confronts cultural differences and needs to learn how to minister to those with such differences. … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Christian families confront cultural challenges all the time. Most times these challenges have a negative influence. The gospel gives us light and strength to deal with these challenges. June 15, 2019 1. Have a volunteer read Acts 10:14-17. 28. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in … Continue reading –>
Change is an inescapable, unsettling occurrence in families, regardless of whatever culture they live in. Some change is related to predictable passage through the life cycle. Often change is unpredictable, such as deaths, disasters, war, illnesses, family moves, or career failures. Many families face economic and social changes in their communities and countries. Other changes … Continue reading –>
“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him” (Gen. 18:19). Though they might come in various configurations, families are the building … Continue reading –>
As the gospel circles the globe, Christians encounter different cultures and practices, many of which pertain to family and social relationships. One of the great questions for Christian missionaries regards how they should relate to various cultural norms about many things, including family relationships they might personally find uncomfortable. Read Acts 10:1-28, Acts 10:34-35. What can we … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Acts 10:1-28, Acts 10:34-35; 1 Cor. 2:2; 1 Thess. 5:21-22; John 1:12-13; John 3:7; 1 John 5:1. Memory Text: “Therefore … let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: We are told to love one another and to live in peace and harmony. We are to be patient and kind. And yet this is a challenge even in our own families. June 8, 2019 1. Have a volunteer read Proverbs 19:11, 17:14. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what … Continue reading –>
